Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – October 7, 2026

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:30 PM (5:45 PM UTC) in the Council Chamber. The meeting included the adoption of numerous routine resolutions, public hearings on two ordinances, extensive public comments from residents, and several council announcements. Key topics included affordable housing incentives, historic preservation, homeless services, and community safety.

Consent Calendar

• 5-a: The 2025 Annual Report from the Office of the City Clerk was adopted by roll call (unanimous).
• Ordinances: 6PSF-a and 6PSF-b (assignment of financial agreements for affordable housing projects) were deferred to a future meeting.
• Resolutions 7R1 A–D: Four temporary emergency appropriations (operating expenses, transportation planning, crisis response grant, public health preparedness) were adopted as a group (unanimous).
• Resolutions 7R1 E–H: Contracts for computer equipment (state contract with Micro Strategies Inc., up to $500,000), Newark Community Solutions (Justice Innovation Inc., up to $500,000 – see Discussion Items), medical accessories (three vendors, up to $150,000), and lumber (Continental Hardware Inc., up to $690,000) were adopted with a roll call (unanimous).
• Resolutions 7R1 I–K: Grant acceptances for tree planting ($3,325,000 from TBTA), fresh food access ($51,994.01 from NJEDA via Newark SAS), and community crisis response ($727,087 from SAMHSA) were adopted (unanimous).
• Resolutions 7R2 (private sales/redevelopment): Many items were returned to administration or deferred. Items 7R2-c, -g, -j, -k, -l, -m, -n, -o, -q, -r, -s, -t were adopted with sponsors (unanimous). Specifics: 7R2-c (25 Seymour Ave, two-family affordable at 60%-70% AMI, $55,500); 7R2-g (112 Milford Ave, two-family with one affordable unit at 60%-100% AMI, $37,825); 7R2-j (three two-family homes on 14th St, affordable at 60%-80% AMI, $105,000); 7R2-k (92 Seymour Ave, three-family affordable at 80% AMI, $53,922.30); 7R2-l (12-14 Fabyan Place, two three-family market-rate homes, $141,720); 7R2-m (819 Clinton Ave, parking lot, $23,100); 7R2-n (29-31 Astor St, three-family affordable at 60%-100% AMI, $66,300); 7R2-o (165-167 Vermont Ave, single-family market-rate rental, $100,000); 7R2-q (33 North Munn Ave, three-family affordable at 60% AMI, $39,750); 7R2-r (lease with Outfront Media LLC for advertising sign, $21,600/year plus $105,000 back rent); 7R2-s (amendment to Heyer, Gruel & Associates contract, increase by $30,000 to $160,000); 7R2-t (amendment to Nishuane Group contract, increase by $40,000 to $215,000).
• 7R3-a: Extension of contract period for renovation of Drop-In Center at 1136 Raymond Blvd (The G Meyer Group, Inc., unchanged amount $4,349,000) adopted (unanimous).
• 7R5-a: Contract with Catholic Charities for Pathways to Housing Emergency Housing Program (up to $3,118,925) adopted (unanimous) after discussion (see Discussion Items).
• 7R6 a–d: Pre-litigation settlements adopted: Keystone Psychological Services ($85,150), East Coast Emergency Lighting ($118,508.05), Rocio Restrepo litigation settlement ($1.75 million), Nextgen Healthcare ($66,971.99) – all unanimous.
• 7R8 c–j: Multiple ceremonial resolutions adopted unanimously, including establishing sister city relationship with Arecibo, Puerto Rico, waiving fees for Hot Rods & Classic Car Show, declaring October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Blindness/Visual Impairment Awareness Month, plus recognizing/commending individuals and expressing sorrow/regret.
• 7R9 a–b: Donation of a fire truck to Sister City Nabon, Ecuador, and professional service contract with WEY Technology for emergency operations center interconnectivity ($78,492) adopted (unanimous).
• 8-a: An ordinance to ratify a lease with Bethany Baptist Church for senior citizen services ($30,000/year) was advanced to first reading (unanimous).
• Pending Business: 9-a (FQHC board appointment) returned to administration; 9-b (Caribbean Commission appointment) deferred (both unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

Over 20 residents spoke during the Hearing of Citizens. Key comments included:

• Felicia Alston-Singleton criticized the ordinance authorizing negotiated reductions in annual service charges (6PSF-c), arguing that developers already benefit from tax abatements and credits, and questioned why the city does not prioritize fixing existing vacant retail spaces and enforcing slum laws before offering new incentives.
• Ali Muhammad warned council members about a state investigation into tax abatements and urged caution; he also commented on the lack of commercial activity in neighborhoods and suggested converting vacant retail to apartments.
• Cynthia D'Souza spoke about her efforts to obtain two city-owned lots on Springfield Avenue that she claims were promised to her; she expressed frustration with lack of response and Invest Newark's recent sale listing.
• Rodney Davis (not appearing), Opal R. Wright spoke about Dodd-Frank Act and liquidity events.
• Marilyn Sowell raised concerns about her sister's medical records being tampered with and called for an investigation.
• Fahkeria Bradley (founder of Restoring Hope Newark Inc.) asked for help finding a community space for her programs and for donations.
• Kareem Green requested street paving on his block and offered to assist with insurance education.
• George Tillman Jr. presented a detailed audit of the city's full employment ordinance and asked for a special conference to ensure compliance.
• Lamont Vaughn accused the Newark Police Department of harassment and targeting, specifically naming Officer Rosario, and urged residents to record police interactions.
• Darnella Lee alleged fraud and mismanagement in housing authority rent payments and RAD conversion documents.
• Latoya Jackson-Tucker called for a community conversation on drill rap music, youth violence, and the school-to-prison pipeline, urging involvement of multiple agencies.
• Bishawn Williams shared his reentry experience and requested opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals; he also described multiple arrests by the same officers.
• Barry Brown described mold and health issues in his current housing and alleged improper rental assistance claims by his former landlord.
• Alnisa Miller advocated for studying complex traumatic stress disorder and addressing social determinants of health.
• Denise Chapman, a Vietnam-era veteran, requested a handicap parking sign at her James Street address; she was directed to work with traffic and signals engineering.
• Carl Anthony Walden presented his Brick City Academy initiative for Newark athletes to access international basketball opportunities in Guatemala, asking council for introductions to potential partners.
• Dr. Wale Idris described a dispute with Newark Symphony Hall over a planned Fela Kuti tribute event and asked the council to intervene.

Discussion Items

1. Ordinance 6PSF-c – Negotiated Reductions in Annual Service Charge for Affordable Ground-Floor Retail Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd explained the ordinance allows a 1% reduction in gross revenue for PILOT agreements if projects provide retail space at 50% below market rates and include more than 30% affordable housing. Council members and public speakers questioned the necessity, noting existing retail vacancies and concerns about developer benefits. Councilman Crump confirmed that requirements are deed-restricted. The ordinance passed (unanimous).

2. Ordinance 6PSF-d – Streamlining Local Historic Designation Process Deputy Mayor Ladd outlined the new city-specific application form and fee structure (residential $150–$250, commercial $450, public no fee). Anyone can nominate a property; designation requires approval by the Historic Preservation Commission, Central Planning Board, and Municipal Council. Councilwoman Roundtree and others sought clarity on criteria (six criteria, any one sufficient) and age requirements (none). Councilwoman Bay proposed considering historical markers for lots redeveloped. The ordinance passed (unanimous).

3. Resolution 7R1-f – Newark Community Solutions Contract (Justice Innovation Inc.) Councilwoman Jackson raised questions after receiving an email from the provider indicating that the $500,000 contract amount would only cover past work and that they would need to cease business without additional funds. Corporation Counsel responded that the $500,000 would pay outstanding invoices and allow time for further discussions on continuing the program. The resolution passed (unanimous).

4. Resolution 7R5-a – Emergency Housing Program Contract with Catholic Charities Council members expressed concerns about performance reporting, shelter conditions, and length of stay. Councilwoman Jackson requested a performance review letter and site visits. Director of Homeless Services Louis Hilario confirmed site visits are being organized. Council members stressed the need for genuine outcomes and not just superficial improvements. The contract was adopted (unanimous), with directives to provide performance reports and coordinate unannounced visits.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances 6PSF-a and 6PSF-b were deferred.
• Ordinance 6PSF-c (retail incentive) and 6PSF-d (historic preservation) were both adopted on second reading and final passage by unanimous votes.
• All remaining resolutions and communications passed as listed in the Consent Calendar, with the exception of those specifically deferred or returned to administration.
• The council directed the administration to provide follow-up on several issues: a report on the Newark Community Solutions contract, performance reviews for Catholic Charities, updates on the historic designation fee structure, and a response to the Symphony Hall dispute.
• Councilwoman Jackson announced an upcoming community meeting (Oct 14) and job fair (Oct 15). Councilwoman Scott-Rountree announced several community events including a Faith in Blue event, a resource fair, and a Black Agenda Rally in Trenton.
• Councilman Kelly announced the first State of the West Ward address on October 16, 2026.
• Councilman Silva requested better coordination with other municipalities regarding homeless individuals transported to Newark, and called for reforms to the Newark ID issuance process.
• Councilwoman Jackson raised concerns about missing persons reports, code enforcement and tenant displacement, water shutoffs at the Hallmark building, and requested updates on the budget amendments and rec center passes.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 3:30 PM (local time).